Summer

“The future, what’s that?”  

— Belisario, one of the Nukak-Makú hunter-gatherers who left the Amazonian jungle to join the modern world.  (New York Times)

Summer vacation is fast approaching.  Ahhh, the idyll of idle time.   Not so fast, rising seniors about to apply to college.

With the imminent onslaught of AP and other rigorous classes, along with applying to college in the fall of senior year, many students wisely use this summer to get a head start.

Our teens are lining up summer jobs and researching financial aid to pay for college; arranging internships to gain real world, résumé-building experience for college; signing up for SAT and ACT prep courses to qualify for college; researching “Reach,” Target” and “Likely” college choices; scheduling college tours; meeting with college advisors; getting a head start on the Common App; and writing the college application essay.

This summer, you should also consider making a video for your college applicant, before the autumn rush.

Why a Video? A customized college admissions video can prove a powerful supplement to an application, showing the essence of a student’s identity, accomplishments and dreams. A video can help your child stand out from thousands of applicants. A video can provide admissions officers with both a three-dimensional overview of your child and document his/her uniqueness and specific talents in ways that a school transcript and standardized test-scores can never do.  A video can emphasize the student’s laser focus on a singular passion, having devoted 10,000 hours over the years to attain such achievements. A video can also be tailored to express the applicant’s commitment to one specific school.

Why Now?  This summer may be the ideal time to create a video for your child’s college portfolio. This may be your last opportunity to document events that happen only this summer, such as a lead in a summer stock play, a big solo in a prestigious musical performance or dance competition. And some college departments may require this performance video for auditions. You might need a highlight reel of summer league sports to submit to college coaches. Admissions officers all talk about an applicant demonstrating leadership. How about showing your student stepping up in community service; or working a demanding internship in the field of an intended college major; or maturing in a life changing travel opportunity? And, again, make the video this summer because summer can be the best time for just lying aimlessly in a hammock, reflecting creatively and coming up with the best ideas on how to achieve your goals.

Questions? Please contact Family Tribute Film to discuss how a video can help your student. And try to enjoy the summer, too.

Richard Kaplan   917.447.1285   RichardBKaplan@verizon.net